Evidence-based ways to improve timely uptake of pre-school vaccinations

Ongoing
Vaccination programmes for pre-school children are essential to protect them against serious illnesses and prevent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. ‘Timeliness’ or ‘timely vaccination’ refers to getting vaccinated within a certain time period after the age at which specific vaccines are due, for example within a month of the recommended age.

Promoting pre-school vaccination timeliness is a key public health goal to prevent outbreaks and maximise protection during early childhood when children are most vulnerable. Public health interventions are required to improve the timely delivery of pre-school vaccination, and consequently the overall effectiveness of immunisation programmes. However, evidence is required to understand which interventions are effective at improving vaccination timeliness, both overall and for specific population subgroups.

This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve pre-school vaccination timeliness, using available published evidence.

Project aims:

Based on these findings, we aim to recommend practical ways to help more children get vaccinated on time within the UK’s pre-school vaccination programme. 

Lead researchers:

Partners